Review: Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet (2019-on)

Overview

The Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet will be released in Australia in the second half of 2019. Manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany, the 992 911 Cabriolet range will initially consist of rear-wheel drive Carrera S and all-wheel drive Carrera 4S variants, both of which are powered by 3.0-litre biturbo flat-six engines that are mated to eight-speed double clutch transmissions (Porsche’s ‘PDK’).

Porsche 992 911: EA9A2 engines and DCT

The new 2981 cc EA9A2 horizontally-opposed biturbo six-cylinder engines for the Porsche 992 911 introduced the following changes relative to their predecessors:

• A new aluminium crankcase;
• For the cylinder head, flow-optimised inlet and exhaust ports. Furthermore, the valve lifts of the two inlet valves for each cylinder were configured to be different. An asymmetric small valve lift meant that the air intake was displaced at low speeds and loaded into an additional swirl flap to improve mixing with the injected fuel;
• A new direct fuel injection (DFI) system with piezo injectors that were positioned centrally in the combustion chamber;
• The two turbochargers were arranged symmetrically, with the compressor and turbine wheels on the right and left charger turning in opposite directions – this optimised exhaust tract flow through the manifold, the exhaust turbocharger and catalytic converters. The turbochargers also had larger compressor and turbine components, contributing to maximum boost pressure of 1.2 bar. Finally, the redesigned turbocharger manifold was also made from cast metal (previously sheet metal);
• The wastegate valve – controlled by electric flaps – had an increased diameter;
• Larger intercoolers were positioned directly above the engine and centrally under the rear engine cover. As a result, the air filter was split into two and installed sideways into the rear mudguards; and,
• The newly introduced gasoline particulate filter (GPF) contained ceramic filters and particulate matter would be burned off in an automatic regeneration process.

The 911 Carrera S and Carrera 4S Cabriolets could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 and 3.6 seconds, respectively, and had top speeds of 306 km/h and 304 km/h. These top speeds, however, were achieved in sixth gear, with the seventh and eighth gears serving as overdrive gears.

All-wheel drive system

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S variants are fitted with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch which provides a variable front:rear torque split. In normal conditions, two-thirds of the engine’s torque is directed to the rear wheels. However, the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system continuously monitors driving conditions (i.e. wheel rotation speeds, steering angle, longitudinal and lateral acceleration) and can send additional torque to the front wheels if required.

Body and dimensions

AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet has similar dimensions to the 992 911 Coupe , i.e. 4519 mm long, 1852 mm wide, 1300 mm tall and with a 2450 mm long wheelbase. Visually, the 992 911 Cabriolet can be identified by its new LED headlights, vertical beading for the bonnet, 45 mm wider front body section, wider wheel arch housings and 25 mm wider wheels, redesigned door mirrors, pop-out door handles, continuous rear light bar and wider variable-position rear spoiler. The rear body of rear-wheel drive models has also been made 44 mm wider to match the all-wheel drive models. To reduce mass, all external panels other than the front and rear sections are produced from aluminium.

The 992 911 Cabriolet has a fully-automatic soft top that features an integrated glass rear window. The soft top structure contains magnesium surface elements – known as bows – to prevent the roof ‘ballooning’ at high speeds. Furthermore, new hydraulics for the soft-top roof reduce the opening time to around twelve (12) seconds, while the roof can be opened or closed at vehicle speeds up to 50 km/h. The 992 911 Cabriolet also has an electrically extendable wind deflector to shields the front passengers’ necks from the wind.

Suspension and steering

The Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet has MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Furthermore, the 992 911 Cabriolet has electromechanical power steering.

The Porsche 992 911 Coupe will also be available with –

• Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM): an electronically-controlled variable damping system which provides continual adjustment of damper forces according to road conditions and driver behaviour. The 992 911 Cabriolet is the first 911 Cabriolet to be available with the PASM sport chassis which has harder and shorter springs, stiffer anti-roll bars and a 10 mm lower chassis; and,
• Active rear wheel steering whereby electromechanical actuators on either side of the rear axle can vary the steering angle of the rear wheels by up to 2.8 degrees opposite the front axle’s steering angle, or up to 1.5 degrees in the same direction. At speeds below 50 km/h, the front and rear wheels can turn in opposing directions for increased turn-in. At speeds above 80 km/h, the wheels can turn in the same direction for greater stability.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet includes dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters

As standard, the 992 911 Cabriolet will be equipped with Porsche’s ‘Warn and Brake assist system’ which can detect collision hazards from other moving objects (e.g. vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists) and initiate emergency braking if necessary.

For the traction control system, the Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet will have a ‘Wet Mode’ which can detect water on the road, prepare control systems accordingly and warn the driver. Wet Mode can then be activated by pushing a button or using the mode switch on the steering wheel.

As an option, the Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet will be available with a ‘Night Vision Assist’ system which uses a thermal imaging camera.

Features: Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet

The 992 911 Cabriolet will be equipped with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system which has a 10.9-inch touchscreen, online navigation and Porsche Connect Plus, i.e. Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, an LTE telephone module with SIM card reader, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and the Porsche Connect App which provides specific smartphone content in the centre console.

Inside, the Porsche 992 911 Cabriolet introduces a new seat design to provide better lateral support in the shoulder area. Furthermore, the seats are positioned 5 mm lower and have slightly thinner cushions.

Further information will be available closer to launch.